On this page:
- Dropped kerb
- Costs
- Application process
- Planning permission
- Getting a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing
- Getting an H-bar white line marking
- Enforcement
- List of classified roads
A dropped kerb or vehicle crossing allows a vehicle to cross the pavement legally from the road onto your property.
To have a dropped kerb or vehicle crossing, you will need to get approval from the council to carry out works to the highway. You may also need planning permission for the works.
Crossings can be installed by Blackpool Council or by a council approved contractor that has:
- Public liability insurance of up to £10 million
- Up to date and valid street works accreditation
Typically the construction works involved to create a single-width dropped crossing will cost in excess of £1,000. In addition to this, you will need to pay for the following:
- A site visit by a council highways surveyor to establish the works to the highway that are required and the likely cost of the scheme. The fee for this is £68
- Either a Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development from the council’s planning team to confirm that planning permission is not required, or planning permission for the works
- The cost of a certificate would be £103 for a householder proposal or £117 for a commercial (including flats) proposal
- The costs for planning permission would be £206 for a householder proposal and £234 for a commercial (including flats) proposal
- A supervision fee of £148 (domestic) or £194 (commercial/flats) if the works are carried out by an approved contractor rather than the council
- A road marking fee of £138 if a 4.5m wide H-bar-marking is required in addition to the dropped crossing. If a wider H-bar-marking is required, this will be charged at £2.50 per additional metre
- The first step is to request an application form by emailing highwaysandtraffic@blackpool.gov.uk
- The application form needs to be filled in and returned with the admin fee of £68. You can pay this over the phone by calling 01253 478412
- Highways will quote for the works which will be sent out in writing (pending planning permission)
- If you then wish to proceed with the works, you will either need to obtain planning permission for them, or prove that planning permission is not required by obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed development
- Once planning permission has been given and confirmed and you wish to get the work done on our quotation you can contact the highways team on 01253 478412 or Customer First on 01253 477477 to make your payment
- The work will be scheduled and can take up to 6 weeks to be carried out. Any wall needs to be removed before the work can start
- If you wish to employ an outside contractor they will need to email highwaysandtraffic@blackpool.gov.uk to request the relevant form
- These forms will need to be completed and returned with proof of the public liability and up to date insurance (the minimum public liability we need is £10 million). The supervision fee also needs to be paid on submission of the form.
- If it is a domestic household the fee is £148
- If it is a commercial property the fee is £194
The forms will state a start date in which we need to know so we can supervise the works.
If you are proposing any works within the boundary of your property, such as:
- The removal of a wall
- The installation of gates
- The laying of a driveway or hard-standing
- The erection of a garage
Then you might need planning permission unless you are able to adhere to ‘Permitted Development’ allowances.
You will definitely need planning permission if you are proposing any works within the boundary of your property and you are on a classified road
To obtain a formal determination as to whether or not you need planning permission for the works, you can apply for a Certificate of Lawfulness for a proposed development. The fee is £103 for a householder development and £117 for a commercial development including proposals relating to flats. Full schedule of fees.
If it is determined that planning permission is required. Or if you consider that planning permission is required based on the information above, you can make an application for planning permission using either:
All planning applications must be supported by the following:
- Relevant form
- Relevant fee
- Location plan showing the position of the site drawn to a recognised metric scale and showing the direction of north and two named roads
- Existing and proposed layout and elevation plans (as appropriate) drawn to a recognised metric scale and showing the works proposed
To proceed with the works, you will need to email HighwaysandTraffic@blackpool.gov.uk with:
- A copy of the schedule of works and quote provided to you by the council’s highways team
- A copy of either a Certificate of Lawfulness confirming that planning permission is not required or planning permission for the works proposed
- Confirmation that you either intend to proceed with the quote issued to you and have the council carry out the works, or that you intend to use an approved contractor
If you choose the council to carry out the work for you, you will need to pay the amount quoted and it will take up to 6 weeks for the work to be programmed in.
If you choose to have the works carried out by an approved contractor, you will need to pay a supervision fee to the council. These are:
- Domestic crossing supervision fee £148
- Commercial/flats crossing supervision fee £194
Please note that all fees will need to be paid before works commence.
H-bar markings are white lines that are marked on the road in-front of a vehicular access or driveway. They are used to remind drivers not to park in front of the access because they would cause an obstruction.
'H' bars are a nationally recognised marking, and can assist the Police and Blackpool Council parking enforcement officers to issue fixed penalty notices for obstruction. However, it is not necessary for an H-bar marking to be in place for enforcement action to be taken because any parking in front of a dropped kerb constitutes obstruction.
There is a cost of £138 for the installation of a standard H-bar marking of up to 4.5 m. Every additional metre is charged at £2.50. If you are proceeding with a dropped kerb quote, please specify if you also want an H-bar marking. If you would like an H-bar marking for an existing dropped crossing, please email traffic.management@blackpool.gov.uk.
To report an issue please contact the parking enforcement team directly on 01253 476395, your details will be required to pursue any enforcement action.